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(No Model.)

H. D. P. ALLEN.

STILT.

No. 279,071. Patented June 5,1883.

Ra mm. mm a WITNESSES:

ATTORNEYS N. PETERS Phumuumgn mr. Wahin mn. DJ:-

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY D. P. ALLEN, BROQKLYN, NEW YORK.

ISTILT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 279,071, dated June 5, 1883.

' Application filed November 10, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may aoncerny Be it known that I, HENRY D. P. ALLEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and'State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Stilts, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to .produce a stilt for walking in which the step or footrest shall be adapted to perform the natural motion of the foot; and to this end it consists V in the novel construction and arrangement of parts, hereinafter set forth.

This invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a side view, and Fig. 2 a front view;

Similar letters indicate corresponding parts. The letter A designates two bows composing the shank of the stilt, between which bows are hung a foot, B, and a step or footrest, 0, one at the lower end and one intermediate of the ends, in such a manner asto be capable of an oscillating motion.

The means for hanging the stilt-foot B con sists of a pivot, D, while that for hanging the step 0 consists of swinging straps E, and the point at which both the foot and the step are thus hung is the rear or heel portion thereof, they being connected together at the toe part by a rod, F, having its ends pivoted thereto at that place. The step 0 is provided with ioe-straps G, one having a suitable buckle;

and the bows A carry ankle-straps H and leg straps I, which are provided with lacingeords, buttons, or other suitable fastenings, said straps being arranged at the required places to embrace the ankle and leg of the walker. Said bows A are spread toward the upper end a sufficient distance to admit the leg of the walker, and in practice the leg is introduced with the foot resting on the step 0, the several straps being then properly ad justed so as to-hold the stilt to the leg, as indicated in Fig. 1. Thenwhen the stilt is applied to use, and the stilt-foot B is brought in contact with the ground, both said foot and the step G turn or oscillate on their heel-pivots, due to their connection by the rod F, and the step is permitted to follow or perform the natural motion of the human foot in walking, so that no strain or other manner ofinconvenience is experienced in using the stilt.

By hanging the heel portions of the osoil lating foot B and foot-rest G to the stilt-shank in the manner described, and combining therewith a rod which connects the toes of the foot and foot-rest, it will be obvious that they are not only adapted to move in unison, but the weight of the person at-the toe portion of the foot-rest and the pressurethereon are sustained in a substantialmanner through the medium of the rod F, which connects such toe portion with the toe of the foot B and subserves the function of a toe-brace, and relieves the pivots of the foot-rest of considera ble strain. This is of obvious advantage over a stilt employing a foot and f0 ot-rest pivoted at their heel portions, and also connected at such heel portions by a coimecting-rod, as the toe portion of such foot-rest is not braced and sustained as in my invention.

It should be remarked that instead of the bows A a solid shank may be employed; but it is preferred to use the bows because affording a substantial supportto the stilt-foot and step, as well as to the human leg, while the step, moreover, maybe hung by means of a pivot instead of the swinging straps.

\Vhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1.' A stilt combining in its structure the oscillating foot B and foot'rest 0, both hung to the stilt-shank at their heel portions, with the brace-rod F, connecting the toe portions of the foot and foot-rest and sustaining the forward end of the latter, substantially as described.

2. The combination, in a stilt, of a foot, B, and foot-rest C, a pair of bows at each side thereof to which the foot and foot-rest are hung at their heel portions, and the brace-rod F, connecting the toe portions of the foot and foot-rest and sustaining the forward end of the latter, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

' HENRY D. P. ALLEN.

Vitnesses:

CHAS. WAHLEEs, E. F. KASTENHUBER. 

